An ever present resource

I'm continually awed by the immense treasure in the services of Holy Orthodoxy. In Orthros and in Vespers, we not only pray, but are instructed in the faith. The readings underscore and emphasize the resurrectional nature of our life in Christ our God, and the hymnody literally teaches the faith throughout the year. Daily we are joined with those who have gone before, recalling their lives and knowing that we are in their prayers. And these services are crowned by and serve the Divine Liturgy, which is at the heart of our life in Christ, our theosis!

Sadly, these bounteous gifts are often ignored or taken for granted. It is true that our life here and now is busy and that there are many, many distractions. Still, we can make the Spirit driven choice to pattern our lives around Christ. When we cannot make it to the Temple for services, we can pray the readings and services in our homes and in the privacy of our icon corners.

Praying the faith and living the faith go hand in hand, and the prayers and services given us by Holy Mother Church keep us in the faith -- and allow us to pass on to our children and their children the faith passed on through ages through the Apostles, Holy Fathers, Bishops, Presbyters and Deacons as they have been handed the 'deposit of truth!"

Thanks be God for His great blessings!